『앤슨의 세계 일주』 속의 중국 묘사에 대한 프랑스 계몽주의 철학자들의 해석

Abstract

In the 18th century, the people who spread ‘Sinophilia’ in Europe were not Christian missionaries but anti-Christian Enlightenment philosophers. Not all Enlightenment philosophers had an affinity for China, however. Montesquieu and Rousseau were abhorrent to China. Thus, the debate about China continued throughout the 18th century between these ‘Sinophilias’ and detractors. Therefore, they become tense with each other. As such, Anson’s Voyage Round the World, published just in time, was forced to draw their attention once again because the book was full of descriptions and informations about China.<BR> So, what was Anson’s Voyage Round the World for 18th century French Enlightenment philosophers, i.e. Montesquieu, Rousseau and Voltaire? What is the reason why they mentioned Admiral Anson and his book? Our paper aims to try to answer these questions.<BR> To begin with, Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Voltaire ‘requisition’ Anson, more precisely, China depicted in Anson’s Voyage Round the World.<BR> Montesquieu, who had only approached China from the perspective of his theory of government forms, ‘requisitioned’ Anson as a witness who was vital to the proof of his academic theory and system.<BR> On the other hand, Rousseau, who constantly criticizes civilization for having been on the decline with the advancement of learning, cited Chinese civilization as an example; he ‘is requisitioning’ Anson’s travel journal as a very good proof that his views of China were not wrong.<BR> Finally, to Voltaire, who had ‘requisitioned’ China for the purpose of persuading his political ideas and views, Anson’s views and arguments on China could have the explosive power to destroy the foundations of his ideas and views; thus, to defend himself, Voltaire had to guard against Anson’s claim and his followers.